Shloka 58
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
त॑ राजा प्राहसद् दृष्टवा मुच्यतां वै नराधम: । एवमुक्तोडब्रवीद् भीम: सुशर्माणं महाबलम्
taṁ rājā prāhasad dṛṣṭvā mucyatāṁ vai narādhamaḥ | evam ukto 'bravīd bhīmaḥ suśarmāṇaṁ mahābalam ||
Seeing him in that condition, King Yudhiṣṭhira laughed and said, “Release this wretch.” When thus addressed, Bhīma spoke to the mighty Suśarmā.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid combat, dharma can require restraint: a righteous king may curb excessive vengeance and prevent the needless degradation of a defeated enemy, choosing release over prolonged humiliation.
After Bhīma has overpowered Suśarmā, Yudhiṣṭhira, seeing Suśarmā’s plight, laughs and instructs that he be released. Bhīma then addresses Suśarmā directly, continuing the exchange in the aftermath of victory.